How to Make Your Home Look and Feel Larger

Of all the improvements that can made to a home, it can't actually be made any larger without serious demolition work. Expanding a floor plan usually involves knocking down walls, extending the roof line and rebuilding all over again. As with any large-scale home improvement project, the original plan usually becomes more complicated along the way as new discoveries are made. Most homeowners get nervous just thinking about taking on large home improvement projects because of the cost and inconvenience.

There are, however, other ways to make a home appear larger. Small and fairly inexpensive changes to interior features and decor can help make any home look and feel larger than it actually is. Whether you're trying to sell your home or just give it a fresh look, consider how these smaller projects can make your home feel a little larger.

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Furniture - One thing that makes smaller homes look smaller is the amount and style of furniture inside. When furniture is too big for a room or there is too much furniture in a room, it makes the room look smaller. This is a common problem when people move from a larger home to a smaller one and don't want to get rid of any furniture. For example, that monster-sized couch that fit in your old family room may not even come close to fitting in your new home. Or the dining room table that sat 10 people in your old kitchen may not fit in a more modest-size kitchen.

Colors - Light colors are always better than dark colors in a small home. Paint the walls and keep the decor light to help make the room feel more open. Light earth-tones are in-style and will make a noticeable difference in a room previously painted with dark colors. Also, avoid hanging large (especially tall) picture frames in rooms with lower ceilings as this will make the ceiling height more noticeable.

Doors - Swap out your entry doors or den door for an entry door with glass or a French door. Glass exterior doors let more light in which helps make the interior feel bigger. Adding a French door in the den will help the adjacent room and den feel a little bigger when the door is closed. If possible, you can even consider swapping out a single door for a double door where the existing framing allows without too much demo.

There's nothing wrong with a small home unless it feels like one. While actual square footage is important when trying to sell a home, it's not as critical when living in the home if you can make it feel large. A few small changes can make a big difference.

How to Make Your Home Look and Feel Larger

Mason Morrison writes home improvement articles for Masonite Doors, a leading front door and interior door producer.

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